A Postcard from Zaandam

Sometimes, travel brings sunshine… and sometimes, it brings sideways rain. My visit to Zaandam — just north of Amsterdam — was most definitely the latter, but I’m learning that some destinations shine even brighter when the rain joins the adventure. Even under grey skies, this quirky little city had plenty of charm to uncover, especially for those of us exploring life’s “second era” with curiosity and waterproof coat.

I drove in from the close by Zaanse Schans Open Air Museum — an easy, straightforward journey just before the heavens opened — and found parking in one of Zaandam’s large underground “Q-park” car parks. It made exploring on foot wonderfully stress-free, especially when the weather had other ideas. If you are travelling by other  means both train and buses to Zaandam are accessible and frequent.

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The INNTEL Hotel: A Fairytale in Stacked Houses

The Inntel Hotel Zaandam may be one of the most iconic hotel façades in the Netherlands. From afar, it looks like a towering collage — traditional Zaanse wooden houses piled high like toy blocks. Each “house” shape is painted in varying tones of green and blue, reflecting the historic architecture of the region.

Standing underneath its whimsical, leaning geometry made me feel like I’d stepped into a Dutch children’s storybook — even on a rainy day. It’s playful, bold, and completely one-of-a-kind.

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Strolling Gedempte Gracht: Colourful & Compact

From the hotel, I wandered down Gedempte Gracht, Zaandam’s lively pedestrian shopping street. Even in bad weather, it had personality: bright shopfronts, pops of modern design, and plenty of places to duck in for warmth. It’s not a grand boulevard, but it’s a pleasant place to take a gentle stroll and watch local life unfold and wall as window shop or pick up a souvenir along the way.

A perfect little detour — and somewhere to dry off between raindrops.

Finding Shelter: A Coffee Break to Savour

Of course, all that wandering in the drizzle called for a cosy break. Zaandam has no shortage of cute cafés (most are dog friendly), and Molly and I happily escaped the rain inside one — the perfect excuse to sip a hot chocolate and munch a stroopwafel, gaze out at the colourful buildings, and simply enjoy the moment. The kind of place that wraps around you like a cozy blanket. no hurry, no agenda… just presence.

That is one of my favourite gifts of travelling in my Second Era:
not filling every moment, but letting moments fill me.
Sometimes, it’s those small travel pauses that help you enjoy the moment even more.

The Kissing Couple (Het Kussend Paar)

After a short drive and a quick hop on a free ferry across the water, I reached my favourite sight of the day:

The “Kissing Couple XXXL” statue . This giant statue designed by artist Saske van der Eerden, and inspired by classic Delftware, depicts two figures in traditional Dutch dress leaning in for a kiss. Smaller pocket sized versions are famous souvenirs.  The original Delft Blue figures are believed to be Jan and Grietje – a traditional farming couple from the 18th century. The location of the statue marks a spot where cyclists pause, along a popular cycle route, awaiting the Hempont ferry or somewhere to picnic and watch boats, barges and cruise ships glide past in the day time, whilst by night the statue is illuminated every evening. The project, carried out in collaboration with a number of partners, including the City of Amsterdam and the Ministry of Infrastructure, is part of an urban layout project. More than just a work of art though, this sculpture is an invitation to share love and immortalize a moment in front of this iconic landmark symbol. Definitely a instagram or ‘KODAK’ moment !

The Kissing Couple XXXL stands almost 10 meters tall. The boy is 8.6 meters high and the girl is 8.1 meters high and there is only 20cm of space between their lips. Together, they weigh 6,700 kg. They took 2 years to design and just over 6 months to construct and was unveiled in late November 2017.

The Hempont ferry itself has a long history. Established in 1876, it connects Amsterdam Westpoort and Zaandam. Until 1932, people pulled it by hand along a cable, but today, it operates 24 hours a day without any manual effort! Pedestrians and cyclists ride for free.

Up close, they’re huge —They’re sweet, romantic, and full of nostalgia — a reminder of the affectionate, playful side of Dutch culture. a great photo spot and a lovely symbol for those of us embracing joy, connection, and even new romance later in life.

Why Visit Zaandam ?

I’ll be honest — there isn’t a huge amount to do here if you’re seeking full-day entertainment. But as a short stop or part of a wider itinerary, it’s definitely worth a look and pausing for a spot of shopping, refreshments or a meal in one of the cafes.

My reason: I wanted to finally see the Inntel Hotel and Kissing Statue up close
My bonus: Combining Zaandam with a longer visit to the nearby
Zaanse Schans Open-Air Museum — which I’ll share in a separate blog

It’s a great combination: a dash of modern whimsy in Zaandam, then traditional Dutch heritage just down the road.

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A Second Era Takeaway

Travel in midlife doesn’t always need to be epic or long-haul. Some days, it’s enough to take a short trip, discover one or two things that spark joy, snap a few photos, and feel inspired — even if your hair gets soaked by the rain.

What Zaandam Taught Me

Rainy days aren’t disruptions — they’re invitations. To slow down.
To notice more.
To appreciate warmth, laughter, and shelter.
To find joy in unexpected forms.

Not unlike midlife itself.

So, here’s my postcard to you — fellow Gadabouts embracing your next chapter:

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. There’s beauty happening now — even through the raindrops.

Until the next journey…
Here’s to seeing the world more deeply — whatever the weather.